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“Biggest Error In Modern History”

We are in the middle of the 100 year anniversary of World War One…..the Great War….The War To End All Wars…..the war that changed the world forever and gave us the world we have today.

But was this war necessary?

Some say it was inevitable….while others say that it could have been avoided….and even some that think the UK made a huge mistake by entering into the war….people like NiallFerguson….

Britain could have lived with a German victory in the first world war, and should have stayed out of the conflict in 1914, according to the historian Niall Ferguson, who described the intervention as “the biggest error in modern history”.

In an interview with BBC History Magazine, Ferguson said there had been no immediate threat to Britain, which could have faced a Germany-dominated Europe at a later date on its own terms, instead of rushing in unprepared, which led to catastrophic costs.

“Britain could indeed have lived with a German victory. What’s more, it would have been in Britain’s interests to stay out in 1914,” he said before a documentary based on his book The Pity of War, which will be screened by BBC2 as part of the broadcaster’s centenary season.

He makes a good case but I would like to hear from some of my UK readers on what they think about this idea….was it a huge mistake?

The US was only part of this war for a little over a year and most Americans try to erase this period of war from their memory….it devastated Europe….so I am interested in what my European readers have to say about this idea.

I am fascinated with this war….think about a single action that had 600,00 troops on one side attacking a smaller force on the other….that was one single action had that many troops and the deaths of hundreds of thousands and they did this for about 4 years…action after action…..that amazes me that none of the generals could see that what they were doing was not doing nay good so why not try something different….but they did not they just kept throwing troops by the thousands at each other and let the deaths amount up…..

Like I said…fascinating!

Please let me know what you think of this proposal…..ain’t history a hoot?

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3 thoughts on ““Biggest Error In Modern History””

If Britain had failed to enter WW1, it would have undermined the whole system of alliances and agreements that had maintained a relative peace, prior to 1914. Germany and its allies knew that Britain would have to support France, Belgium, Russia, and Serbia, based on complex agreements that had been around since the end of the Crimean War, in 1856.
Of course Britain would have survived, and perhaps even prospered without taking part in the conflict. They had the most powerful navy in the world, and the numerous colonies to supply food and manufacturing products. The Kaiser was also related to the Royal Family, so it was highly unlikely he would have contemplated a seaborne invasion of the UK following any victory on the continent.
But it was about things like honour, and many old-fashioned values that dominated thinking at the time. And let’s not forget that this war was likely started by, and continued for, the benefit of the huge industrial companies that dominated the wealth in almost every European nation at the time. In short, it was inevitable, and there is little point arguing a ‘what if’? on this occasion, though always interesting to contemplate.
Best wishes, Pete.